Italo -American socialist honors Christopher Columbus on Columbus Day

For years ( a Hope High School student in 1965 )I passed by this high quality Columbus statue on Elmwood Ave. in Providence , Rhode Island. Coming from an Italo-American background I had no " problem " with honoring the great navigator Christopher Columbus on our Columbus Day.The discovery of America FOR WESTERN CIVILIZATION was a most significant event in human history. As a longtime independent democratic socialist I share leftist historian Howard Zinn's view of history ( study " People's History of the United States " ) .In trying to understand the history of the United States it is ridiculous to vilify mere individuals. I suspect elements of our present day exploiting and oppressing capitalist class would love to see smoldering ,still oppressed racial and ethnic groups focus their anger on DEAD statues. And leave the living culprits in peace. Columbus is not ruining the environment today ! Attacking the RELICS of history is just ignorant and reactionary. Are devout Catholics in Rome vandalizing statues of Nero or Caligula ? The PAST must be known to be understood. Despite his meriting my Golden Philistine award I commend 630 WPRO radio & TV personality Gene Valicenti for often defending the Columbus statue and the dignity of the Italo-American community here in Rhode Island-even in Newport. The WOKE WARRIOR Left is completely out of touch with working class USA Today .